WHAT:      High-energy Authentic Flamenco Performance
WHEN:      Friday, February 6, 2009 at 8pm
WHERE:    Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street, Louisville, Kentucky
TICKETS:   $25 in advance, $30 day of show, purchase tickets online or by phone at 1-800-838-3006 [24/7 Ticket Hotline]
INFO:        For group, student and senior citizen discounts, as well as more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 502.345.2945

FlamencoTalk unveils stellar lineup of artists for its new flamenco production "De La Raiz" scheduled to take center stage at the Clifton Center on Friday, February 6, 2009, 8pm. Intended to create a cultural immersion in flamenco the program will explore the roots and traditions of this famous Andalusian gypsy art through a week's worth of educational workshops and a world-class sizzling performance featuring artists from Jerez de la Frontera, Granada, and Barcelona. Internationally acclaimed flamenco stars Antonio Granjero, José Valle "Chuscales", Fransisco Orozco "Yiyi", and Vicente Griego will mesmerize Louisville with their brilliant artistry and passionate interpretation of flamenco, and evoke Duende, the inspiring force that Federico Garcia Lorca has described as "true, living style, of blood, of the most ancient culture, of spontaneous creation..."

VIDEO (Excerpt from performance of Chuscales and Yiyi):

CAST:

Antonio Granjero, guest choreographer and dancer
Antonio Granjero had the honor of performing at some of the most prestigious flamenco events in the world, including the Bienal de Sevilla and Festival de Jerez, accompanying Cañizares' Company. As part of his recent European tour Antonio has debuted a new show "Vaya con Dios" at the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla 2008. Granjero has performed in theatres throughout Israel, Italy, England, Switzerland, France, and Japan, has appeared in many popular television programs, and has been featured as a lead dancer in the performance for the Queen Elizabeth II of England.

José Valle Fajardo "Chuscales", guest guitarist
Considered one of the greatest Flamenco guitar players in the world, Chuscales was born in Antequera, Spain (Malaga) and raised in Granada, in a family of professional flamenco musicians and dancers. Captivating the world with his ardent gypsy guitar Chuscales has accompanied many greats of flamenco, including Don Antonio "El Farruco", Mario Maya, La Tati, El Guito, and Juan el Lebrijano. He has toured Canada, Europe, South America, Japan and the United States. Chuscales is featured on several CDs, including "Midnight in Madrid", "Encuentros Del Alma", "Guitarra Flamenca", "Viva Flamenco", and others.

Francisco Javier Orozco "Yiyi", guest singer and percussionist
Yiyi is a profoundly emotional and sensitive singer and amazing percussionist born in Barcelona, Spain. He has toured the world with leading flamenco dancers and companies. Yiyi is considered one of the most sought after young flamenco singers on the scene today. Introduced to flamenco rhythms at the tender age of four by his father, flamenco singer "Joselón de Jerez", Yiyi was considered a "child prodigy" of percussion. He began his professional career at the young age of twelve and by the age of seventeen Yiyi has released his first CD and began touring Europe with the company "Flamenco Rubio".

Vicente Griego, guest singer
Vicente “El Cartucho” Griego from Embudo, New Mexico has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada and Latin America, with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto singer, Alfonso “Veneno” of Madrid, Spain. He also remains a pupil of acclaimed guitarist, Chuscales, with whom he performs weekly, both locally and nationally. Griego has recently become a member of Jesus “El Genio Gitano” Montoya’s company, PURESA FLAMENCA. 

Mariya Tarakanova, dance and artistic direction
Mariya’s passion for dance has been a life-long journey. A seasoned performer, she made her debut at the age of 6 performing ballet, modern and international dance on stages of her native St. Petersburg, Russia. Her dance career has undergone a major shift in 1996, when she discovered Flamenco, one of the world’s most complex and mysterious artforms. Mariya has performed alongside such maestros as Antonio Hidalgo, Antonio Vargas, Ángel Muñoz, Arturo Martínez, Jesus Montoya, Chayito, and Vicente Griego, among others. Some of her recent endeavors include repeat residencies as a guest artist and teacher for Centro Flamenco De Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, and a guest appearance at a performance with Brent Del Bianco and members of Memphis Symphony Orchestra in Memphis, TN. Mariya directs FlamencoTalk,  regularly performs as a soloist throughout Kentucky and surrounding states, as well as teaches at her flamenco Studio Aíre.  

Brent Del Bianco, flamenco guitar
Brent Del Bianco began playing music at the age of 10. Over the past 20 years, he has studied and performed a variety of styles, including flamenco, blues, jazz, bluegrass and classical guitar. His commitment to flamenco can be seen in his work as a soloist, and particularly as an accompanist. Brent has studied with the great Chuscales as well as Rene Heredia, Santiago Aguilar, Alfonso Veneno, and others, and has attended master classes with Pedro Sierra. Since 2004, Brent has attended the National Institute of Flamenco's annual summer events in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he accompanied classes for the International Flamenco Festival 2007.

In alphabetical order:

Juliana Bravo, dance
Juliana Bravo, from Argentina, connected with flamenco in 2002 thanks to the inspiration of Mara Maldonado, who then directed the academy of Ballet Español. Since she was a child, Juliana was involved with dance. She danced Argentinean Folklore for 9 years in her native city of Córdoba. All those years of experience with dance are clearly reflected in the grace, unique style and Latina spirit that colors every aspect of her life, including flamenco. In Louisville Juliana studied at Ballet Español and Flamenco Louisville. As part of her dedication to the art form she has also trained with the following guest artists: Angela Ponzio, Antonio Granjero, Timo Lozano and Antonio Vargas. In her most recent trip to Spain she took intensive classes with Chiqui de Jerez and Juan Parra. Currently, Juliana Bravo is part of the professional flamenco company Camino Flamenco, whose members take pride in being able to bring the passion and art of flamenco to the community. Flamenco, as it only exists in the streets of Spain.

Kristen Mercker, dance
Kristen’s love of dance and movement began at the age of 15 with jazz and yoga, which she continued through high school and college. It wasn’t until she took her first flamenco class in 1999 that she found her greatest passion. Kristen began an intense study of the art form of flamenco, and in 2001 she began performing with Ballet Espanol under the direction of Mara Maldonado. They worked and performed with many artists from Spain and the US, most notably Angel Munoz (Pace Pena Flamenco Dance Company) at The Brown Theatre. Kristen’s love of flamenco took her to Spain, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Chicago to study with Maestros Juan Parra, Manolete Maya, Juan de Juan, Omayra Amaya, Joaquin Ruiz, Antonio Granjero, Timo Lozano y Angela Ponzio. Kristen was a founding member of the Soleo Flamenco Dance Company of Chicago, and has co-founded Camino Flamenco Dance Company in Louisville, KY. 

Scarlett Perleberg-Owen, dance
Scarlett has begun studying flamenco in 2006 with Mariya Tarakanova and since then has attended New Mexio Flamenco Festival 2007 where she has studied with Vero La India. Natural grace, as well as discipline and dedication to the art form, have propelled Scarlett quickly in her training and she has made her flamenco debut at the World Fest on the Belvedere in September of 2007.

Christina Dianne Smith, dance
Since Christina was first exposed to the art form of Flamenco, she was captivated. Determined to develop her skills as a flamenco dancer, she began her studies in 1999 with Ballet Español in Louisville, KY, and became an apprentice under the direction of Mara Maldonado. Over the last 8 years, Christina has worked with Angela Ponzio, Ana Maria Blanco, Carmela Greco and the legendary Manolete Maya. She has also studied with and performed alongside flamenco artists such as Arturo Martinez, Antonio Granjero and Angel Muñoz. Christina has actively participated with Ballet Español and Flamenco Louisville, Soleo Flamenco Dance Company in Chicago and currently co-directs professional flamenco dance company, Camino Flamenco.